Briarwood Cottages

Pros

• The reviewer emphasizes the importance of knowing renter rights and lease terms.
• They recommend thorough move-in and move-out walkthroughs.
• They highlight the value of documenting wear and tear to protect deposits.
• They suggest proactive maintenance, like regular painting, to keep units well-kept.
• They encourage renters to stay informed and prepared when renting.

Cons

• The management tries everything they can to keep tenants' deposits.
• The reviewer notes that even after approving $8,400 worth of flooring, the deposit was docked for items like a burnt-out light bulb, marks on walls, and dust above doorway frames and doors.
• The reviewer believes deposits are never returned to tenants.
• The operation is described as very unprofessionally run.
• There are allegations that management stole from apartments.
• The owner's son allegedly caused stress for renters with drunk rages.
• There is no special treatment if a tenant dies while renting there.
• The reviewer says the overall focus is on the management's wallet rather than renters.

Review

The writer sets a blunt, urgent tone from the start, urging readers to know their rights when it comes to rental deposits. They paint a picture of landlords and managers who appear determined to keep as much of a tenant's money as possible, implying a systemic pattern rather than an isolated incident. The frustration is anchored in a personal story: their elderly mother, at 80 years old, put in a substantial amount of money into improvements with the landlord's approval, only to face deductions that they view as unjust and arbitrary.

A central episode centers on the mother's experience with flooring. The reviewer states that the mother had approved the installation of eight thousand four hundred dollars worth of flooring, yet the landlord or management still docked her deposit for a series of items they describe as minor or incidental to everyday living. These deductions included things like a burnt-out light bulb, marks on walls, and dust accumulation above doorway frames and doors. The narrative suggests a belief that such charges are excessive or improper, and it reinforces the sense that getting a full deposit back is more a matter of luck than a right.

Beyond the specific deductions, the reviewer emphasizes a broader issue: the belief that deposits rarely, if ever, get returned in full. They urge readers to investigate the applicable laws, framing the matter as one where the law should protect tenants by distinguishing normal wear and tear from damage that actually warrants deductions. The advice extends to practical steps such as reading the lease carefully, recognizing that routine responsibilities like painting may be required on a schedule (they mention painting every three years) and insisting on thorough walkthroughs both at move-in and move-out to document the property's condition.

The review then broadens to criticize the management and administrative practices of the property. Described as "very unprofessionally run," the property is accused of poor governance and questionable behavior. One specific allegation is that management stole from apartments while the mother resided there, a claim that, if true, would indicate a level of systemic misconduct and personal risk to tenants. The narrative also recounts distress caused by the owner's son, who allegedly engaged in drunken rages that created ongoing stress for renters. These accounts contribute to a portrayal of a hostile, unstable living environment rather than a cooperative, professional landlord-tenant relationship.

Emotional and ethical dimensions weight the story as well. The writer asserts that there is "no special treatment" if a tenant dies while renting, and that "no one cares about you," framing the rental experience as transactional and unsympathetic. The overarching message is that the property and its owners are more concerned with their own profits than with the well-being or security of their tenants. This sentiment underscores a broader sense of distrust and vulnerability, suggesting that the landlord-tenant dynamic in this case is driven by financial gain rather than mutual accommodation.

Taken together, the narrative constructs a portrait of chronic deposit disputes, aggressive cost-shifting, and a pattern of unprofessional conduct that extends beyond isolated incidents. The reviewer connects the deposit issue to a wider critique of how leases are structured, how wear and tear are interpreted, and how walkthroughs are conducted, implying that tenants must be vigilant and proactive to protect their rights. The story also raises questions about accountability, transparency, and ethical behavior in property management, presenting a cautionary tale for anyone entering into a rental agreement with this particular management style or property.

In the end, the reviewer's account combines practical warnings with an emotionally charged indictment of how the property is run. The message is explicit: do your homework, document everything meticulously, and prepare for a potentially adversarial experience when it comes to getting deposits returned. The mother's case becomes a symbol of a broader frustration with rental practices, painting a grim picture of what can happen when stewardship and compassion seemingly give way to profit and control.

This part of Eau Claire, Wisconsin offers a variety of amenities and services that may be appealing for senior living. The area is home to several restaurants ranging from casual options like McDonald's and Chipotle Mexican Grill to more upscale choices like Northern Tap House and Fuji Sushi & Steakhouse. There are also multiple physicians' offices nearby, including OakLeaf Clinics and Midwest Eye Laboratories, as well as pharmacies such as Target Pharmacy and Walgreens for convenient healthcare access. In terms of recreational activities, residents can enjoy parks like Cinder City Park and River Prairie Park, while theaters like Micon Cinemas provide entertainment options. Places of worship such as Trinity Baptist Church and Cornerstone Christian Church offer spiritual support within the community. Overall, this area provides a mix of dining, medical, recreational, and spiritual resources that may cater to seniors looking for a vibrant yet comfortable living environment in Eau Claire.

Restaurants

• Northern Tap House (0.3 miles)
• Fuji Sushi & Steakhouse (0.3 miles)
• McDonald's (0.6 miles)
• Applebee's (0.6 miles)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill (0.7 miles)
• Culver's (0.7 miles)
• Jimmy John's (0.8 miles)

Physicians

• Sterling Optical - Eau Claire (0.5 miles)
• OakLeaf Clinics - Eau Claire Medical Clinic (1.1 miles)
• Eau Claire Gi Associates (1.2 miles)
• Marshfield Clinic Eau Claire Oakwood Center (1.4 miles)
• Midwest Eye Laboratories (1.6 miles)
• Chittewa Value Orthopedics (1.8 miles)
• Chippewa Valley Eye Clinic (1.8 miles)

Pharmacies

• Target Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• Midelfort Pharmacy & Home Medical (2.1 miles)
• Value Center Health Mart Pharmacy (2.6 miles)
• Walgreens (2.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3 miles)
• Value Center Health Mart Pharmacy (3.2 miles)
• Achieve Wellness Add to Favorites (4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Jehovah's Witnesses (1 miles)
• Create-A-World Pre School (1.5 miles)
• Harvestime Church (1.7 miles)
• Trinity Baptist Church-Sbc (2.5 miles)
• Calvary Baptist Church (3.1 miles)
• Cornerstone Christian Church (3.9 miles)
• Grace Lutheran Foundation (4.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Oakleaf Surgical Hospital (1.1 miles)
• Sacred Heart Obstetrics & Gynecology (4.2 miles)
• Sacred Heart Hospital (4.5 miles)
• Emergency Department, HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital (4.5 miles)
• Sacred Heart Hopital (4.6 miles)

Theaters

• Micon Cinemas Eau Claire (2 miles)

Cafes

• The French Press (2.2 miles)
• The Nostalgic Bean (2.4 miles)
• Starbucks (2.6 miles)
• Starbucks (2.8 miles)
• Acoustic Cafe (4.4 miles)
• Starbucks (4.6 miles)
• The Goat Coffee House (4.6 miles)

Parks

• Cinder City Park (2.7 miles)
• River Prairie Park (3.8 miles)
• Mount Tom Park (4.3 miles)
• Owen Park (4.3 miles)
• Eau Claire Soccer Park (4.4 miles)
• Owen Park Bandshell (4.5 miles)
• Randall Park (4.6 miles)